Sgraffito

DEFINITION

Technique in which the surface layer is incised or cut away to reveal a contrasting color.<br><br> Italian term meaning scratched; in painting, one color is laid over another, and scratched in (with the other end of the brush, for example) so that the color underneath shows through.<br><br>A method of decorating or designing a surface, as of paint, plaster, slip (engobe), or glaze, by scratching through a layer of one color to expose a different color underneath.As when : Scratching through a layer of wet paint to reveal dry paint or gilding underneath. Scratching through unfired engobe or glaze to reveal the ceramic body (usually leather-hard clay or greenware) underneath.